Content
Weigela Sunny Princess is eye-catching thanks to the delicate, light tonality of not only flowers, but also leaves. The plant is not capricious, although decorativeness decreases without care. The shrub takes root well in the middle lane, if you take care of shelter for the winter.
Description of the Blooming Weigela Sunny Princess
The bush of a picturesque variety is compact. The spherical dense crown of the Sunny Princess weigela, similar to a light pink cloud at the time of flowering, spreads in height and in diameter from 1 to 1.5 m. Strong shoots are straight, slightly drooping in the upper part. The root system is shallow, compact, requiring moderately moist and loose soil. The leathery leaves of the Sunny Princess weigela, as seen in the photo, are oblong, ovoid, 4-8 cm long, with a pointed tip. The variety is distinguished by a yellowish border on the leaf blades, which gives the bush a special charm. Thanks to this color, the weigela Sunny Princess remains decorative throughout the warm season, and in winter it fascinates with the smooth curves of the shoots.
The shrub grows well on loose, fertile soils with sufficient moisture. Requires sun exposure or openwork shade. Weigela is moisture-loving, withers away in severe drought. Frost resistance reaches - 28 ° C, young plants need shelter. Adult bushes endure the winters of the middle zone in a cozy place protected from northern winds. After freezing, the plants are restored due to new shoots. Weigela retains its decorative appearance for up to 30 years.
How Weigela Sunny Princesses blooms
Sunny Princess buds begin to open towards the end of May, but more often flowering occurs in June and July. The length of the tubular, slightly elongated in the narrow part of the bells of the weigela is from 4 to 5 cm. The flowers are light pink, of a delicate shade, the petals have a frame of a more intense tone. Weigela forms inflorescences of 3-7 elongated bells. The bush also pleases with a subtle fragrance. Abundant spring-summer flowering, after appropriate pruning, is replaced by autumn flowering, which begins at the end of August and lasts all September. Then an achene is formed - a box with small seeds that are viable for a short time.
Application in landscape design
A picturesque, shimmering combination of light green leaves and graceful buds make Sunny Princess one of the most decorative garden shrubs. Weigela brings every style of garden to life. Thanks to its picturesque leaves, the Sunny Princess variety looks interesting outside the flowering period. In autumn, the bush changes color to warm orange-reddish tones, and the graphics of smoothly curved shoots also catch the eye in winter. Gardeners use weigela to their liking:
- decorating the lower part of buildings, fences, retaining walls;
- framing the garden area;
- creation of a hedge;
- addition of a strict composition of coniferous shrubs;
- showy tapeworm or group on the lawn.
The Sunny Princess variety is harmoniously combined with low junipers, spireas, rhododendrons, barberries. Irises, daylilies, hosts and other low-growing flowers are suitable as a bottom padding.
Breeding methods
According to reviews, weigela Sunny Princesses are most often propagated in easy ways - by cuttings and layering. In addition, sowing seeds and dividing a large bush are used. Cuttings are cut after flowering, selecting green young branches of 13-15 cm:
- put in a growth stimulator according to the instructions;
- planted in a substrate of sand and peat obliquely, deepening by 1-2 cm;
- the container is covered with a film.
The container is opened daily, the cuttings are sprayed with warm water. Rooting occurs in 1.5-2 months. Plants are planted in a permanent place next spring.
For layering, a lower branch is chosen, which is laid in a groove and reinforced with a garden bracket. Shoots are planted after a year. The fastest way to get a blooming weigela is to divide the roots of an adult plant. The disadvantage of seed propagation is that varietal characteristics may not develop in seedlings.
Planting and caring for the weigela Sunny Princess
Good shrub development and abundant flowering depend on the right location and planting time.
Recommended timing
In the middle lane, weigela is planted in spring - in March, early April. Over the summer, the bush will take root and painlessly endure the winter. October is suitable for the southern regions.
Site selection and soil preparation
Planting and caring for a weigela flowering Sunny Princess will be less of a hassle if the place is initially correctly chosen:
- calm;
- sunny;
- not in the lowlands;
- with breathable, well-drained and fertile soil.
How to plant correctly
A seedling with an open root system is soaked before planting for 3-6 hours in water with the addition of a growth stimulator according to the instructions. Weigelu in containers is well watered or the pot is placed in a large container so that the substrate is moistened and the roots are not damaged. The planting pit should exceed the container volume by 2 times: 50-60 cm deep, with the same diameter:
- drainage up to 10-15 cm high;
- the fertile substrate is made up of equal parts of garden soil and humus, half of the sand for looseness and complex fertilization;
- the weigela seedling is placed so that the root collar is at ground level or slightly, up to 1-2 cm deep;
- the bush is watered after the substrate is compacted, the trunk circle is mulched.
Growing rules
Moisture-loving weigel Solar Princess needs to be provided with regular moisture and loosening of the soil.
Watering
Weigela needs abundant watering - no less than a bucket of water per week in spring, before flowering and in hot summer. It is better to water with a large volume, but so that moisture reaches all the roots.
Top dressing
In the spring, it is convenient to feed the weigela with any complex fertilizers with three main microelements. They also use preparations for flowering shrubs. The granules are scattered around the perimeter of the trunk circle or diluted in water, according to the manufacturer's recommendations. After fertilization, the weigelu is watered abundantly. Weigel is given the same top dressing at the end of spring, during the period of bud formation. Phosphorus-potassium agents are applied in August.
Loosening, mulching
After watering, the weigels loosen the ground 6-8 cm deep. Mulching will ensure the soil is breathable in all weather conditions. Peat, bark, sawdust, dry grass without seeds are used as raw materials.
Pruning, crown shaping
A lush bush of weigela blooming Sunny Princesses, as in the photo, is created by constant annual pruning:
- sanitary cleaning and correction of the shape of the plant is carried out in early spring by removing damaged, thickening or protruding shoots;
- in July, after the first wave of flowering, the old shoots of weigels are cut off by a third;
- when pruning, a point is chosen where a large external kidney or a young process is laid;
- separate young powerful branches are cut in half, forming a lush bush;
- after 2-3 years, rejuvenating pruning of old branches is carried out at ground level.
Preparing for winter
The variegated variety of weigela Sunny Princess is moderately winter-hardy. In late autumn, a thick layer of mulch is laid. The plant is covered for the winter with agrofibre or mats made of natural materials, bending branches or arranging a high frame. The shelter is not removed in early spring, only raising the edge for airing. Weigela branches after frost are best shaded from bright rays.
Pests and diseases
If weigela Sunny Princess is planted in a place, according to the recommendations, the plant is strong and develops well, it is not susceptible to diseases. When the bush is thickened, fungal infections may occur. For treatment, fungicides or Bordeaux liquid are used. It annoys weigel with aphids, which are disposed of by spraying with soap or soda solution. Sometimes a spider mite starts up, against which acaricides are acquired. Caterpillars of various pests die after treatment with insecticides.
Conclusion
Weigela Sunny Princess will delight you with exquisite flowering and original variegated leaves at a well-chosen planting site. Maintenance includes maintaining sufficient soil moisture for the shallow root system and systematic pruning. With winter shelter, the plant develops well in the northern regions of the middle lane.
